For Now, the Catholic Church in Washington Is Safe From Big Government

Here's what LifesiteNews reported at the time:

SB 5375 is the latest attempt by Washington state Sen. Noel Frame to force Catholic priests to break the Seal of Confession and reveal what they hear in the confessional – or go to jail. The bill explicitly singles out priests, removing their “privileged communication” exception, while allowing it for professionals who may hear of abuse.

Frame previously cited the Catholic Church’s support for penitential secrecy in her decision to no longer practice Catholicism. However, she already had a history of supporting abortion and the LGBT movement, as LifeSiteNews previously reported.

“At this time the Washington State Catholic Conference has no comment,” Tracey Yackley told LifeSiteNews on Friday morning when asked prior to the signing for comment.

The bill made carve-outs for other professions and "privileged communication," except for priests.

Governor Bob Ferguson tried to hide behind his so-called Catholic identity when he signed the bill into law, including his Jesuit priest uncle.

Recommended

Senate Passes Bill to Release Epstein Files, But There's a Catch Matt Vespa

Related:

CATHOLIC CHURCH CATHOLICISM CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT

But the fact of the matter remained: this bill was wholly unconstitutional. The government cannot compel the Catholic Church to violate its teachings and laws, even in the name of "child safety." The Archdiocese of Seattle vowed to fight back, and the Catholic Church said priests who complied with the law would be excommunicated. In a statement, the Diocese wrote, "Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession — or they will be excommunicated from the Church. All Catholics must know and be assured that their confessions remain sacred, secure, confidential, and protected by the law of the Church. The Catholic Church agrees with the goal of protecting children and preventing child abuse," it continued, before reiterating the Church "remains committed to reporting child sexual abuse, working with victim survivors towards healing and protecting all minors and vulnerable people."

A federal judge blocked the law over the summer, citing First Amendment violations.

The DOJ launched an investigation into the measure, with Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon writing on X, "Washington’s new law forces priests to choose between violating their faith or breaking the law. That’s unconstitutional. The @CivilRights Division has opened an investigation into SB 5375’s apparent attack on the First Amendment and religious liberty. We will not look away." 

That investigation is not needed, at least for now. The Washington Catholic Conference announced today that a deal has been reached with the state of Washington, and the unjust attacks on the Catholic Church will stop.

BREAKING: In a landmark settlement, the state of Washington has agreed not to force Catholic priests to violate the sacred seal of confession.

— Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) (@WACatholics) October 10, 2025

The entire statement reads:

Washington’s law would have required priests to report information shared within the confines of the sacrament of confessional. Washington claimed the law was designed to protect minors but still permitted attorneys and others to maintain confidentiality when given identical information. With the help of WilmerHale, @becketfund, and @1stLiberty, we filed a lawsuit to block the state from targeting the Sacrament of Confession.

A federal court blocked the unconstitutional law earlier this summer, recognizing that the “targeted exception for clergy raises concerns.” 

Across the Archdiocese of Seattle and the Dioceses of Spokane and Yakima, priests—and all Church personnel—are already required to report suspected abuse to law enforcement or child protection agencies. These policies cover diocesan parishes, schools, and other ministries.

The Catholic Church in Washington consistently supported the law’s broader goal of strengthening protections for minors and asked only for a narrow exemption to protect the Sacrament of Confession.

For centuries, the Catholic Church has upheld the belief that confession is a sacred encounter between a repentant sinner and God, acting through the priest, and most remain confidential to encourage such repentance. Priests have been imprisoned, tortured, and even killed for upholding the seal of confession. Penitents today need the same assurance that their participation in a holy sacrament will remain free from government interference.

Washington’s law, which was slated to take effect on July 27, required clergy to report abuse shared within the confines of confessional, or receive penalties of up to 364 days in jail, a $5,000 fine, and potential civil liability who uphold the seal of confession and obey God’s command.

In every other setting other than the confessional, the Church has long supported —and continues to support—mandatory reporting. We’re grateful Washington ultimately recognized it can prevent abuse without forcing priests to violate their sacred vows.